Hip-Hop Hopes

One night after Korn and a few friends drove home from the movies, another car followed them. When Korn’s crew parked and started walking toward his house, the passengers in the second car released a barrage of bullets.

“They were looking for other Cambodian guys,” Korn claims. “It was mistaken identity.”

No one was injured.

While most of the Asian gang violence in Olney and Logan has slowed down since the 1990s, tempers still flare. Raymond Ros spent 8 months in jail recently after being connected to a shooting on Delaware Avenue. He was released when the true shooter was identified.

In’s brother is currently in jail, convicted of third-degree murder. His other brother is in jail for robbery. In served three months in prison after being busted for selling drugs.

“It was just stupidity,” says In of his gang days.

None of the group members shy away from their troubled pasts.

“If your life was really good, you wouldn’t be a rapper,” says Touch, who spent two months in the brig and was dishonorably discharged from the military after going AWOL from his Navy base in Washington so he could attend a Sixers’ game during the NBA Finals in 2001. “If you were born with a silver spoon, you wouldn’t have nothing to rap about.”

The next day at the Cambodian New Year’s celebration near 58th and Lindbergh in Southwest Philly, Joe In and his 7-year old daughter linger by the food stalls when he sees the crowd of people open up.

“That shit’s about to go down,” he says before pulling his daughter away from the mob.

In the ensuing bedlam, four people are stabbed right in front of the booth where Korn’s mother sells her spicy pickled cabbage.

“It’s just stupid old gang shit,” In says later. “It’s real corny. We outgrew that stuff a long time ago.”

He gave up the illegal hustle when his mother passed away from a brain aneurysm in 2003. Now, In, a father of two, works as a self-employed contractor when he’s not rhyming in Korn’s basement.

“They turn their difficult backgrounds into positives,” says Sorn of the Cambodian Association.

The AZI Fellas performed at the Association’s 30th anniversary celebration last December.

“It’s inspirational and empowering how they tell their life stories,” Sorn says. “They are a link for us between Asian culture and American culture.”

A week later, Korn sits at his computer in the basement. He announces that he was fired from his job as a cable technician after 10 years with the company. He blew off work too much to tend to his music.

“I’m going to do this full-time for a while and see what happens,” he says with a wry smile.

“Yo much to respect to the writer ( G.W. Miller III ) he took his time to put this piece together and have AZI Fellaz on the cover of the Philadelphia weekly!!! Philadelphian show love or be counted out!!!! AZI Fellaz all day!!!”

4. Anonymous said... on May 5, 2010 at 12:11AM

“Great job AZI!”

5. Anonymous said... on May 5, 2010 at 12:20AM

“big ups to the fellas.”

6. Razor Sharp said... on May 5, 2010 at 01:25AM

“Congratz to da fellas! Continue to work hard and strive to be da best at what we do and we will prevail...AZI MUSIC!!”

7. sunny said... on May 5, 2010 at 01:55AM

“This is HISTORY in the making and yall did it "FROM THE MUSCLE" this is only the begining..AZI!!!!!!”

“Congrats to the AZI FELLAS.. Keep moving foward your on the right path”

10. Vy said... on May 5, 2010 at 04:35AM

“Philadelphia needs to see what i see in these talented guys. Way to go AZI Fellas!!!!”

11. What It Look Like? said... on May 5, 2010 at 09:54AM

“For More Azi.. Check out their music page on Http://www.myspace.com/theazifellasShow some support and Love!!Free S.KMuch love god Bless..”

12. sperk said... on May 5, 2010 at 11:56AM

“Yo my azi brother I'm trying to blow up..good job with the work”

13. Anonymous said... on May 5, 2010 at 12:10PM

“Get AZI or fall asleep on Elm street”

14. dustin lock said... on May 5, 2010 at 02:21PM

“Azi is puttin in dat work wit real hip hop good shit my nikkAs it been a long time comin for yall and im proud yall made it! Keep up da good work :)”

15. T.0.L said... on May 5, 2010 at 05:45PM

“A......Z....iits jus Da way dat we livin....we all can relate!keep it coming...stay determinedit aint bout nothing!”

16. Anonymous said... on May 5, 2010 at 05:55PM

“A bunch of wack chinese rappers that are never gonna make it. There all gonna laugh at you hahahaa”

17. Anonymous said... on May 5, 2010 at 06:01PM

“AZI dudes are wack! 30 years old! Get a real career!!!”

18. E K T said... on May 5, 2010 at 06:04PM

“love the tracks guy keep it up and blow up like the wprld trade lol and where my mans Ranz Dolo at with his sick flow? haha much love”

19. YoungILLz said... on May 5, 2010 at 07:00PM

“Damn go ahead Azi. Do your thang keep it up! love your music haha, also the haters do too, chu kno..you must be doing something right for people to envy n hate yall.. remember dont hate da haters jus thank them for their time.Salute!!

“The AZI fellas been through a lot to become the group that they are, I applaud your hard work, determinations, and passions. AZI will be known, and continue to strive to become the best Khmer rapper in Philly, much love to my cousin Joe, and friends!”

23. playahata said... on May 5, 2010 at 09:58PM

“i got to admit azi is a hip hop group that the music industry needsno more bullshit raps!i never heard of these guys til now but im glad i picked up the paper today!”

24. lovely said... on May 5, 2010 at 10:14PM

“picked up one on the way to work today. nice story guys, i really enjoyed it! look forward to hearing more stuff from yall soon. Represent!”

25. groupielove=) said... on May 5, 2010 at 10:17PM

“Korn Swagger is soooo sexy!”

26. kevin jordan said... on May 5, 2010 at 10:17PM

“man these for hot i never heard asian people rapping like this before they are stepping it up i thought they was black the whole time keep it up fellas”

27. susan said... on May 5, 2010 at 10:20PM

“aint no more "got rice?" for asians no more thnx n good bye steriotypes”

28. john lopez said... on May 5, 2010 at 10:22PM

“yo man I'm really feeling this man i heard one of their tracks on myspace yo man yall is hot man keep it up”

29. Azi said... on May 5, 2010 at 10:42PM

“You can get more info & music on myspace/twitter/youtube or just google usthanks for love & support!AZi”

30. LoGuNNaS Old York RD RuNNaS said... on May 6, 2010 at 02:24AM

“It's ya boy! Keep up the progress. We Khmer, ain't nothin we can't overcome. Like it or not we "here". Cambodia, we on the "map". Wut? Stop all that envy Shit, Lets get this money n share the wealth. For Reals!”

31. I_own3chineseStores said... on May 6, 2010 at 07:50AM

“These guys r not Chinese. I know, because I'm Chinese. I think they were drafted by the Jews in Dave Chappelles racial draft. Lol!! But they better than alot of these fake MTV rappers!! Go AZI!!”

32. Anonymous said... on May 6, 2010 at 08:59AM

“AZI, May this journey keeps on going for you guys!! Congrats!! korn...you are HOT!! ;)”

33. Anonymous said... on May 6, 2010 at 11:08AM

“I always knew you would make it!!! This is how your foundation continues to grow. I am glad to see Cambodians being recognized in such a way. Much Love to Joe and the AZI family...hot article!”

“Big time shout out to ya. I remember Sorkorn from way back in the day. I'm glad to see that you're representing your heritage and it represents you as well. Hip-Hop is not defined by just one race, but by all people. The love for Hip-Hop is eternal and I hope that you will continue to shine with you and your group. Keep on representing the real and remember what i taught u back in Frankford High School. Lol. Peace and The Evolution Continues,,,,,”

“Yeah AZI produced my artists biggest hit 24/7 and the 24/7 remix. Korn swagger is a real hip-hop critic and we would always go @ it over todays hip-hop. I like there studio cause its like family. To hear 24/7 go to myspace.com/hillcreekentertainment”

“big thanks to the author whom wrote this article. Great story, love seeing khmer people making a change... May 7th, I'll be there”

42. kliff said... on May 7, 2010 at 07:27AM

“not much of a fan of rap these days but i def will check this out. got lots of cambodian friends and know the horrible history of what their families went through. refreshing to hear their side instead of money, cars, b***hes and jewelry. peace”

43. Anzwer said... on May 7, 2010 at 06:24PM

“........Nice article!....AZI you guys rock man....much love and support! you will make it to the mainstream!!!!”

44. Anonymous said... on May 8, 2010 at 12:37AM

“Great show!!! I can't believe that you guys are involved with khmer kids from cambodia... mad respect and keep doing it.”

45. mr. george said... on May 9, 2010 at 11:46PM

“my secretary brought in the paper for me the other day, i must say pretty interesting made me forgot that i had the inquire .”

46. Anonymous said... on May 11, 2010 at 02:04PM

“I think they are cute and I'm a dude... LOL”

47. Bunrath Math said... on May 11, 2010 at 02:10PM

“Cambodian youths and community in Philadelphia are starting to make positive contributions,social changes and so on. Encouraging development.Proud of you, AZI.”

48. fabo said... on May 13, 2010 at 01:03PM

“yall is willd for this one..i seen the article at my cuzzos crib..i like.i hope for the best for you guys.and yall music is contagious..they need to give yall radio play.”

49. Eagles4life said... on May 14, 2010 at 05:27PM

“Hey I'm a big hip hop fan that loves that original shit. N y'all definitly got it. This article is real I know alot of Cambodian dudes. N y'all get it in. Mad props for that son. Keep it real. Peace out”

50. Philly Phill said... on May 14, 2010 at 10:06PM

“Yo Camobodian Rappers need promotion too. I wrote this article on Japanese Hip Hop http://www.badhabitatmusic.com/top-10-japanese-hip-hop-artistsNext I will do one for these dudes. Peace”

51. 007Khmerguy215 said... on May 16, 2010 at 06:45PM

“Nice article guys. It's good that the young Cambodian kids didn't forget their heritage and where they came from. Stay Real.”

52. SIMEIZM 215-702 said... on May 27, 2010 at 09:49AM

“kept it up azi ...we made it out stuggle here fuk the player hate.....“Philadelphia needs to see what i see in these talented phillie world. Way to go AZI Fellas!!!!” the world is your.....A WO ....A WAY OUT SIMEIZM KAREEM COE NANG KIM STICK RAW .............”

53. dayknight said... on May 29, 2010 at 09:12AM

“you guys rock.....where can i find your album? i heard some songs on the web but i want the official cd..”